The one-size-fits-all model definitely does not apply to pricing. Find out what strategies you can implement now to boost your business’ bottom line. Rafi Mohammed


the discount stripped down model make sense (private label vs. brand name). They choose the product that provides the best deal (price vs. attributes). Create a value statement. Every company


should have a value statement that clearly articulates why customers should purchase their product over competitors’ offerings. Be specific in listing reasons—this is not a time to be modest. This statement will boost the confidence of your sales staff so they can look customers squarely in the eye and say, “I know that you have options, but here are the reasons why you should buy our product.” Reinforce to employees that it is okay to


earn high profits. I’ve found that many employees are uncomfortable setting prices above what they consider to be “fair” and are quick to offer unnecessary discounts. It is fair to charge “what the market will bear” prices to compensate for the hard work and financial risk necessary to bring products to market. It is also important to reinforce the truism that most customers are not loyal—if a new product offers a better value (more attributes and/or cheaper price), many will defect. Realize that a discount today doesn’t guarantee a premium tomorrow. Many people believe that offering a discount as an incentive to try a product will lead to future full price purchases. In my experience, this rarely works out. Offering periodic discounts serves price sensitive customers (which is a great strategy) but often devalues a product in customers’ minds. This devaluation can impede future full price purchases. Understand that customers have different pricing needs. In virtually every facet of business (product development, marketing, distribution), companies develop strategies based on the truism that customers differ from each other. However, when it comes to pricing, many companies behave as though their customers are identical by setting just one price for each product. The key to developing a comprehensive pricing strategy involves embracing and profiting from the fact that customers’ pricing needs differ. Provide pick-a-plan options. Customers


are often interested in a product but refrain from purchasing simply because the pricing plan does not work for them. While some want to purchase outright, others may prefer a selling strategy such as rent, lease, prepay, or all-you-can-eat.


A pick-a-plan strategy activates these reluctant customers. New pricing plans attract customers by providing ownership options, mitigating uncertain value, offering price assurance, and overcoming financial constraints. Offer value versions. One of the easiest ways to


enhance profits and better serve customers is to offer good, better, and best versions. These options allow customers to choose how much to pay for a product. Many gourmet restaurants offer early bird, regular, and chef’s-table options. Price-sensitive gourmands come for the early-bird specials while well-heeled diners willingly pay an extra $50 to sit at the chef’s table.


Implement differential pricing. For any


product, some customers are willing to pay more than others. Differential pricing involves offering tactics that identify and offer discounts to price sensitive customers by using hurdles, customer characteristics, selling characteristics, and selling strategy tactics. For example, customers who look out for, cut out, organize, carry, and then redeem coupons are demonstrating (jumping a hurdle) that low prices are important to them. Use pricing tactics to complete your customer puzzle. Think of your potential customer base as a giant jigsaw puzzle. Each new pricing tactic adds another customer segment piece to the puzzle. Normal Norman buys at full price (value-based price), Noncommittal Nancy comes for leases or pricing plans, High-end Harry buys the top-of-the- line versions, and Discount David loves getting 10 percent off on Tuesday’s promotions. Since pricing is an underutilized strategy, it is fertile ground


for new profits. The beauty of focusing on pricing is that many of these ideas are straightforward to implement and can start producing profits immediately. What better pricing windfall can your business start reaping tomorrow?


Rafi Mohammed, Ph.D. is the author of The 1% Windfall: How Successful Companies Use Price to Profit and Grow (HarperBusiness). He has been working on pricing issues for the last 20 years. Rafi Mohammed is the founder of Culture of Profit LLC, a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based company that consults with businesses to help develop and improve their pricing strategy. He is an economics graduate of Boston University, the London School of Economics & Political Science, and Cornell University.


SpecialtyRetail.com Winter 2011 n Specialty Retail Report 133


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